Which of the following is an example of correlational research?
A) A historian studies the factors that lead to the outcome of the previous five presidential elections in the United States.
B) A researcher tracks binge drinkers and nondrinkers to see how many of them get colon cancer and if there are significant differences in cancer rates between the two groups.
C) A researcher interviews workers to see if they would support a $15 minimum wage level.
D) A researcher randomly divides her participants into three groups, giving one group a powerful new drug, the second group a drug already on the market, and the last group gets a placebo.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Correlational research examines the relationship between two or more variables, without manipulating any of the variables. In this example, the researcher is tracking the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer rates, which is a typical correlational study. Option A is a historical research while Option C is a survey research. Option D is a clinical trial where the researcher is manipulating the independent variable (type of drug given) to measure the effect on the dependent variable (participant's health outcome).

Which of the Following Is an Example of Correlational Research